Every year my whole Gillespie family tries to go somewhere in the back country on a fishing/hiking trip. Most of the time my parents don’t come and its just the kids hiking into beautiful alpine lakes, but this year I decided we should try somewhere just a little different that the whole family could enjoy. It payed off big, everyone had a great time and we still got to hike around and explore the five different lakes in the area. 

Trip highlights:

Road from Hell: The first night we tried to take a rough road into a place that we wanted to camp for the weekend, but after 5 miles of beating we turned back and camped at the trail head.

Seeing a Black Bear: As we walked around the lake scouting for places to fish I noticed a big black object about 200 yrds away. As it saw me it got on two legs and looked at me. I though “Bigfoot” then “Bear”. I tried to motion to Jer, but he was too late. We decide to tell our younger sibling that it was just a Moose so they did get freak out the rest of the trip. But that didn’t matter because the best fishing was right where I spotted the bear in the first place.  We could see where it was bedded down and its skat. As it got darker the youngest Addie said in a trembling voice ”Jeremy There’s a Bear” and sure enough the bear must have been coming back to bed down and it was 20 yrds in front of us. It stood up on two legs, probably thinking if it could eat us all, but with instinct Jer being 6’6 , and I stood up and waived our arms until it ran back into the forest.  He finally lived up to his nick name “Jer Bear”

Sight Fishing:After bushwhacking to find the lake, we stumble on some rising fish in shallow water. After seeing what they were feeding on we crawled in and Jer landed the first fish of the trip a nice brookie. The rest of the night was fast action for top feeders.

Float Tubing:The next morning we packed our float tubes into a near by lake. Jer and Gunner went out, while Greg, Mal and I hit the cruisers from the shore. The were a little more selective with the bright sun, but a small dropper produced fish all morning, but you had to hook on sight not feel. Pretty fun stuff. Jer did good from the tube, where as Gunner had a couple problems with water getting into his waders and falling down 5 times trying to get out of the shallow mud. For the last 2 hrs I decided to get out on a  float tube and I’m glad I did. Jer was throwing leeches and hooking up almost every cast. So I switch from choro’s to leeches and instantly started hooking up with 15-17 inch brookies. It was a ton of fun to be back out in a tube. It had been years and something much needed.

Four Wheeling:We had a great time four wheeling around the roads by our camp. It was a good break from fishing and a chance to explore the area outside of a jeep. We even took the family to a remote lake and had a picnic for the 4 th of July.  

Perfect Camp Spot: They are those camping spots that are just right, well this one was one of those. We camped at the end of a 5 mile dirt road as far away from all other humans as possible. It was a pic perfect spot with a great view of a mountain meadow. Plus it was only a 1/2 mile hike to our lakes we fished most.

Jeepin:  With a tip from a local we decided to Jeep into another lake that rumored to having some nice fish. The road proved to be a true jeep road and one more suited for a four wheeler, but that’s why half the fun just getting to the lake and testing your jeeping skills. I made the group get out a couple times going up some rock slide hills.

Big Bookie:This was the reason for choosing this area. My goal was to catch just one over sized Brook Trout. It took fishing 5 lakes and on the last day, it all came together.  I had scouted this lake the day before and knew from the slashes that there were some big fish in it. I had decided with the aggressive top water shows that these fish were chasing minnows to the surface and devouring them. So with this in mind I tied on my trusty brown Sex Dungen, snuck to the area and casted it in. Strip, strip, strip, then as I could see my fly I noticed a huge brookie fallowing it. With only 5 ft left  and in two feet of water I raised the fly a little and witha flash the fish opened his mouth and consumed my 3 inch fly and headed for the safety of the deep. The fight was on! I yelled across the lake to the rest of the family I GOT IT , I GOT A BIG ONE!  Then I though don’t be an idiot, focus and don’t lost it. I was shaking from head to toe in excitement. As the big fish tired and came to shore I was the happiest man on the mountain and glad to share the moment with the family. It was the challenge and trophy I dreamed about. It didn’t come easy, but it was a great way to finish off the trip with a big bang.  

The days menu

Gotta love the trail side scenery

Jordan after a long day of hot summer fishing in SE Idaho…You can imagine what he thought when I started the Jeep…

These large insects are trout candy on our western streams. Green drakes are the largest mayflies that provide fishable hatches in our fast local waters.  Hatches occur during mid-day and are usually easily visible.  Windless, cloud-cover days are best. Green Drakes are large insects and evidently taste really good to trout.  When Green Drakes hatch in good numbers the trout forget all other foods and target them only.  A dense hatch of Green Drakes can bring the largest trout to the surface.   But, Green Drakes are fickle and somewhat unpredictable.  Some days have heavy hatches others very light.  Some regions of a stream will have more insects than others.  Green Drake hatches are something that the fully armed angler prepares for, even though it may not be the main target.  However, if you ever encounter a major Green Drake hatch and are unprepared you will remember it with sorrow.

Fish Story Of The Week: Chubb’s Tig

 It was 1 am and we were just about ready to call it a night, when Chubbs line went tight. Fish On! He shouted as the brute threw water everwhere, as well as the hook, leaving us silient…We reeled in and called it a night…Man that was a big fish

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Most people think that rowing a drift boat is easy, until they try it. This week we give you some great advice to rowing a drift boat for the first time or for a seasoned guide.  

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ROWING

THE BACKSTROKE

BASIC AVOIDANCE MANEUVER

1. LOOK – While rowing you will be dodging low casts, spotting fish, tying on flies, or getting a something from the cooler. To avoid any surprises, map your course to allow ample time to set up properly.
2. AIM THE POINT – towards the back of the boat (STERN) into the direction in which you plan to back away from the rock. In the example this is achieved by dragging the left oar and pulling two or three times strongly with the right. Pull with the right oar until the boat pivots to the “escape angle” you need- about 45 degrees across the current ( the current and the river banks aren? always parallel; cross currents can be deceiving).
3. PULL – Now that you have the proper angle, pull on both oars to get away from the rock. Even in a moderate current, three to six strong strokes are usually enough. In rougher water, with big waves and cross currents, it may require several more adrenaline fueled strokes. Momentum will keep the boat going several yards after you stop rowing. Beginners tend to over-row, using more strokes than are necessary and end up zigzagging all over the river. With practice it will become second nature. If you observe an experienced boatman, they maneuver efficiently, without wasting a stroke, missing rocks by inches. A minimal amount of rowing helps maintain a steady casting distance from the bank or target water which is an asset to your angler.
4. STRAIGHTEN – Now that you’re far enough away to miss the rock, straighten out the boat to pass by it. Dragging your right oar will do the job, with perhaps one pull on the left oar. Naturally, your anglers will want to cast around the rock, so you’ll be far enough to the side of it for them to cast without needing to adjust the length of their lines to reach it. It is easier for your clients to cast if you keep the boat parallel to the bank. This allows them to cast from the side of the boat minimizing the danger of hooking the oarsman, or each other. This is the science of rowing fly fisherman.
5. RETURN – Now that you’re passed the rock, aim your stern back toward the bank. In the example this calls for dragging the right oar and making a few strong pulls on the left.
6. POSITION – Now that you’re cocked at the proper angle again, several strong pulls with both oars will get you back to your original distance from the bank.
7. RESUME – Straighten the boat in the current by dragging the left oar. Ideally you will want to maintain a comfortable casting distance to the fish for your client while drifting down the river.

COMMON ROWING PROBLEMS

THINGS TO REMEMBER

COMMON TERMS & MANEUVERS YOU MUST KNOW

EXITING THE BOAT

EDDY-IN AND EDDY-OUT

MISCELLANEOUS

Drift Boat Basics

By Willie Illingworth

Written August 14, 1989, updated October 18, 2005

How to Run a Drift Boat

It is certain that there are very few boats as specialized or unique as a river drift

boat. Drift boats are riverboats, specifically designed to run rivers, and although they are

not unsinkable, they are amazingly maneuverable and seaworth, especially in the hands

of an expert oarsman. Although their popularity began in the Pacific Northwest , they are

now used in many rivers across the United States ,, Canada and Alaska . Although drift

boats can be used for general river running, most white water enthusiasts prefer rubber

rafts. Without question, fishermen and hunters who seek unlimited access to river prefer

the easy launching, handling, anchoring, and comfortable dryness of the solid floored

drift boat. This information is to not only help you become familiar with drift boats, but

also with drift boat handling., the basic how to’s of running a drift boat, the do’s and

don’t of drift boating. Drift boat selection, making sure to choose the right drift boat to

suit your needs, and some straight talk about river courtesy. Which in itself can be

intimidating to novice drift boaters. As a fisherman, I can not help but point out that drift

boats not only provide access to the bank bout angler, but open up a whole new world of

fishing techniques, many of which can not be employed from shore.

If you study a drift boat’s basic design for very long, it becomes obvious why the

boat is built the way it is. Its bottom is flat from side to side, there is not keel. This wide

bottom area means that the boat draws very little water, thus able to float through shallow

riffles. The bottom is dished from the bow to the stern, which allows for quick turns and

maneuverability so the oarsman can pull the boat away from obstructions. The point bow

is the high end which faces down stream, and in white water situations allows the boat to

cut the wave and lift the boat through it. The blunt angles stern piece is just high enough

to keep following waves from spilling over the side, wide enough to mount an anchor

bracket, but not so wide as to spoil the turning maneuverability.

People who have had experience with conventional boats have a hard time

adjusting themselves as to how to maneuver a river drift boat in swift water. The reason

for this is that a drift boat is a little backwards. Even though the bow is the high end and

point down stream, it does not control the direction you wish to go, but rather the stern

end, and which way it is point, determines your destination. The key thing to remember

when staring out, if you are sitting in the row seat, which is located on the stern end of

the boat, is to pull on the oars and slow the boat down as you proceed downstream. If the

boat is drifting towards an obstacle and you wish to avoid it you turn the stern to the

direction that you wish to go and pull on the oars, thus pulling yourself away from the

object before straightening the boat out to proceed downstream. Most peoples’ inclination

is to push on the oars, which only insures that you will hit the obstacle before you can

maneuver away from it.

When maneuvering a drift boat downstream through somewhat quiet water, you

may wish to push on the oars to move downstream faster, or if you are in an extreme

white water situation with large waves, you may push on the oars to carry your boat

through those large waves, but 95% of your boat maneuvering you will be pulling on the

oars turning the boat at a 45 ° angle to the stream flow and pulling away from obstacles

then straightening the boat out to proceed downstream. Most classic rivers are made of a

series of pools or holes and riffles or chutes. Often times you will set-up to run a chute or

rapids and unless you are familiar with the river, you should start in the middle of the

river looking downstream trying to read the water and pull your boat away from the

obstacles. If the river tries to push you into a corner, tree or any obstacle, the key thing to

remember is to point you bow into the obstacle and the stern 45 ° to the flow and pull

your way away from it.

Do’s and Don’t of Drift Boating

Never anchor in deep swift water. Never cut your oars too deep when rowing, especially

in boily water. Never let go of your oars, while free floating, unless you are paying close

attention. Often times the river can grab your oar blade and result in a broken oar or a

bent oarlock. Never allow your passengers to stand-up while maneuvering white water.

Make sure that they are seated unless you are in an anchored position or perhaps in calm

water. Always carry life jackets for everyone on board and wear them if you are in any

white water situation. Always carry a spare oar and oarlock.

It is worth noting that even though drift boats are built for running rivers, and can

maneuver in white water situations, they are not unsinkable, especially in the hands of an

inexperienced oarsman in rough water. Thoroughly checkout the section of river you are

running, making sure that there are not waterfalls or heavy rapids, which exceed your

capability. There are may rivers or sections of rivers which can be handled easily by the

novice, at the same time there are sections of streams which are either unrunable, or

runable only by the very experienced oarsman. Also, just because you ran a section of

river successfully last year. For example, a tree may have fallen across the stream or

heavy winter flows may have narrowed the channel or changed the river course. Talk to

your fellow fishermen, stop in and ask at the sport shop or maybe even maintain a local

map with recommendations as to which section or sections of a stream would best meet

your qualifications. If you are really unsure on how to run the river or whether or not you

wish to invest in a drift boat, either go with a friend who has one or consider booking a

trip with a local river guide. Booking a trip with an experienced river guide can not only

help you get the feel for running the river, but you can learn the better fishing spots, and

even which lures or techniques are producing. Most sporting goods shops can

recommend the better local guides. Get several names if possible, call them and base your

choice on which one your like the best.

River Courtesy

Although owning a drift boat does able an angles to get away from the crowd and

reach, otherwise, inaccessible areas, you will run across occasional bank fishermen, or

sometimes float by crowded fishing areas in an effort to reach inaccessible places. Bank

fisherman or other boat fishermen might resent you rowing over the area they are fishing,

or they might resent you anchoring right where they are casting. Also, anchoring in a

sport perhaps boats have been taking turns fishing.. Most of the time a little common

sense and a friendly hello are all that is required.

Here are a few things that you might keep in mind, as you maneuver downstream

keep an eye out for other boats and bank fisherman. If you see a bank angler, try and

watch where he is casting, if he is casting short then you may wish to run the river on the

opposite side, the same would be true if the river bank was considerably congested, then

you would be safe to run the river on the opposite the populated shore. If an angler is

casing all the way across the river, fishing the obvious pocket on the far side, then you

may wish to maneuver close to him, avoiding running your boat over the top of the area

he is trying to fish. If there is a boat rowing in the current, running plugs (backtrolling),

the worst thing that you could do is to drop downstream just below him and begin

casting. Usually when drift boats setup to backtroll plugs, through a drift, they fully

intend on fishing all the way through that hole and either rowing back up to the top and

running again or proceeding downstream. If there is a boat pulling plugs in the river, you

could either setup to pull the plugs beginning upstream from him or if you intend on

casting you may wish to wait until after he has covered the water once. Likewise, if there

is a boat anchored casting, it would be rude for you to pull plugs through the water that

angler has been working. It is no different than anything else in life – try your best to

treat people as you would like to be treated and keep in mind that part of being a

sportsman is learning to share and although probably not everyone would agree. It is my

personal feeling that boats do not scare fish, except in critically low clear water

conditions.

I love fishing with my best friend Cash. He is my little bros dog, but since he went on a two year vaction.  I have taken over the role of master. He is the perfect fishing partner no matter if I’m happy, mad or sad, he is always at my side to give support or that look of  “how the heck did you miss that one?”  No matter why they created the saying “mans best friend”.

Only If I Could Teach Him How To Net???

Last weekend was a great one, I was able to spend a couple days in a great place with some of my best friends and Dawgs.  Cash, Chubbs and I arrived to our destination late Friday night after work. After some fishing talk and BS’ing with a couple older gentlemen who were just getting ready to leave after a long hard day on the water. We lanched the boat and headed into the darkness.

Not hearing much excitement from our older  friends we were greatly surprised went our first cast produced a fish on and off within seconds. The rest of the night was just as we hoped and as we crawled into our sleeping bags at 2 am we were ancoiusly awaiting what the next morning had instore.  In fact it was one of the longest 3 hrs periods of my life, the air mattress went flat within 30 mins and with a couple Amps in my system I decided to wait it out looking at the stars. As the sun slowly arose in the canyon we were greeted by one of natures most beautiful sunrises I have ever witnessed.

Just like earlier that day we instanly started to figure out these weary fish and as luck would have it we not only had a beautiful rainless summer day, but we were also able to catch a couple fish in the process.

Even though it was just nice to be out with friends…and make a few along the way. (Our new WI & NC buddies from the DNR )

Playin a little Frisbee with Cash…I wish I could love something so much…oh wait I do

Olympus Stylus Tough 6000

Dr Gill-espie goes all fishy on us and captures this amazing colored underwater shot of a buck bow with his Tough 6000.